Richard John Augsbach Sr.

Richard John Augsbach, Sr. of Airmont, NY passed away on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at the age of 90. Known as Dick to his family and friends, he was born and raised in Westwood NJ to Otto Augsbach and Mary Chabra Augsbach on February 18, 1927.

He graduated from Roanoke College, Virginia in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and completed his Master of Science in Life Sciences at William Patterson College. He met his beloved wife, Mary Schell in 1945, on a night out with friends and were married on August 22, 1953 at St. Andrews Church in Westwood, NJ. He served in the U.S. Merchant Marines and the Air Force during World War II and the Korean War where he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. He left the service and began his thirty-two year career at Lederle Laboratories starting as a chemist and advancing his career as a sterilization specialist and pharmaceutical manager. An avid golfer, he was a longtime member and club champion at Highlands County Club. His passion included many hunting and fishing trips in the Adirondacks, Columbia County New York, the St. Lawrence River and many hours on the Lakes at Harriman State Park. He was a long-time Met fan and loved vacationing in Ocean Beach with his family. He enjoyed monthly luncheons with his reunion friends from Westwood High School serving as the chair of the 50th Reunion for his class.

Richard is survived by his wife of 64 years, the love of his life Mary (Schell) Augsbach; cherished children Deborah Kolakowski and her husband David; Rick Augsbach, Jr.; Bethanne Augsbach Lamma and her husband Mike; Laura Augsbach Thompson and her husband Ed; six grandchildren whom he adored, Logan, Whitney, Greg, Mel, Hannah and Madeline; brothers-in-law Steven Frantz, Bert Mount and sister-in-law Joan Mount and Gerry Augsbach; cousin Jon Chabra; and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother Otto Augsbach and sister-in law Ellen Frantz.

Visitation will be held from 3:30 to 8 PM on Friday, January 26, 2018 at Wanamaker & Carlough Funeral Home, 177 Route 59, Suffern, NY. Funeral Service will be celebrated 10 AM at the Ascension Cemetery Chapel on Saturday, January 27th with burial to follow. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at Act.alz.org in honor of his wife, Mary.